Are German Blue Rams Very Difficult To Care For?

[lillykinloo]

Hi, everyone! I actually posted this question on the Beginner board, and a member suggested that I check here (thanks Terra Dreamer ). I am new to fish keeping, and I think the German Blue Rams are quite lovely. But, I am not certain that my tank would be appropriate for them. I have a 37 gallon Eclipse "show tank." It is farily heavily planted (including plants that float overhead) with an open swimming area in the middle. There is also a piece of driftwood and a fake log that has holes and caves in it for hiding places. The plants, unfortunately, are not real (kind-of regretting this decision); they are plastic. There is a gravel substrate. (I tried posting some pictures, but for some reason cannot find the Browse button) The pH is approximately 7.2, and the temperature is set at 78 degrees.

Currently, I have five Diamond Tetras. I am also planning on adding 3 Pearl Gouramis (1 male and 2 females). Are these appropriate tank mates for a pair of German Blue Rams?

If so, how would I need to modify my water parameters to suit the Tetras, Pearls, and Rams?

Note: I am also looking into the Bolivian Ram (as suggested by Rugby), since these may be a bit more hardy. So, any suggestions about keeping the Bolivian Ram would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[Castellop123]

The Ph should be approx. 6.8 - 7.2, hardness value would be soft - very soft ( for breeding and best care )... The tetras and gourami's could also be kept in the tank... Rams can get slightly aggressive while mating and caring for their fry... Real plants would make a nice addition, but not totally necessary...

 

[Mikaila31]

I find German blue rams easy fish to take care of, but i don't know how they will get along with the pearl gouramis. The young juvies they can be a bit sensitive when you bring them home and don't buy any unless they have really good coloring as you can find a lot a washed out ones. Your water parameters are fine for the rams, gouramis, and tetras.

Also heres a pic of my adult male

 

[lillykinloo]

The Ph should be approx. 6.8 - 7.2, hardness value would be soft - very soft ( for breeding and best care )... The tetras and gourami's could also be kept in the tank... Rams can get slightly aggressive while mating and caring for their fry... Real plants would make a nice addition, but not totally necessary...

Thanks for the reply, Corin Castle! I've heard suggestions of using peat to soften water. Can you (or anyone) tell me how this is done?

I find German blue rams easy fish to take care of, but i don't know how they will get along with the pearl gouramis. The young juvies they can be a bit sensitive when you bring them home and don't buy any unless they have really good coloring as you can find a lot a washed out ones. Your water parameters are fine for the rams, gouramis, and tetras.

Also heres a pic of my adult male

Hi Mikaila31! Thanks for the info & the beautiful pic. He's quite handsome!

 

[Rhiannon]

Yes I am finding them easy to care for. I have a male and a female.

They are greedy guts' when it comes to feeding time and defend the food so much I am finding my other fish are not getting as much as usual.

They are cichlids, and I house them with guppies and they are doing fine.

My ph is about 7.2 and they are surviving in that, although I hear they like it a bit lower, but when I brought them home I slowly acclimatised them to my ph over an hour.

37 gallons is quite enough. I house mine in a 20gl tank,but I would never have more than 2 in my size tank.

They will max out at about 3 inches.

As for the gourami's..I am going to add a dwarf to mine soon, and he should be ok, I am not sure though about the normal size gourami's.

Goodluck. Blue rams are one of the most beautiful fish to watch.

 

[Rugby]

i disagree with Mikaila31 on whether or not to buy washed out fish. first ask the clerk where the fish are from. if they are from asia, most likley they have been injected with hormones to increase colour which can lead to infertility and other infirmities.
if they arent from asia, that isnt to big of an issue.
next. check the ph of the water. sometimes the fish are in terrible water. i have had a male ram show no color in the show tank, but once it got settled into my tank, at a ph of 6.0 5.8 for breeding, coloured up very nicly (the new one i just got.) hehehe (couldnt help it, but it has a new tank, cycled of course)
if the ph is off that could be the issue.

just thought i should say that to be fair

Rugby